Sunday, September 2, 2012

Holiday Weekend Shell ID

I thought I would put together a mosaic to identify some of the shells we found on the Gulf Coast a couple of weeks ago. It’s really hard sometimes to be sure of an ID, especially when they are rare.

ShellCollage

We found some ‘one of a kind’ shells....meaning we only found ONE of that particular type.

We found ONE Junonia...

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ONE Banded Tulip....

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One Orange Scallop...

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and one small Lion’s Paw and a big part of a BIG Lion’s Paw.

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I still have not identified this shell. It looks more purple in ‘real life’ and I called it a leaf shell when we found it. (the top)

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We only found 3 or 4 of these.

(the underside)

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It’s so interesting to learn about seashells and why you find different shells in the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean. We’re still learning and still discovering ‘new’ shells!

My favorites? ‘Nutmegs’

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I’m joining Mary for Mosaic Monday

and Diane for Beautiful Sunday !

How many of these do you recognize?

Happy Labor Day Weekend!

HAVE FUN!

48 comments:

Musings from Kim K. said...

I love your lion paw shell. It's just fabulous. You have such a beautiful collection.

NanaDiana said...

You know it's funny- I have several shells from collecting them over the years when we lived in FL...but I am ashamed to say I could not name many of them. What a great little lesson here. Beautiful shells and great photography- xo Diana

Danni@SiloHillFarm said...

Thanks for sharing this! You know my dream is to go shelling some day and I'll be needing this as a guide to what I find!

Unknown said...

I've never seen the lions paw and those nutmegs are sweet. You have a nice collection and most of all, memories of walking on the beach!

Heather said...

I have never seen a lion's paw! How beautiful. My mother-in-law would take us to Sanibel. It was like there were jewels washing up on shore. When I was a kid, we just went to Connecticut beaches. We found a lot of beach glass, but mostly clam shells. I like your mosaic. That would make a beautiful framed picture! I have some of those shells; they are so hard to identify. I used them as a center for my class to try to identify (hopefully my answer key was correct!). I love shells! Thank you for sharing your beautiful finds! Your blog is so relaxing! I will be using this as a guide also to see what shells I find next time!!! :) Have a blessed day!
Heather

Vee said...

The nutmegs are so cute. I can see why they are your favorites. My favorite today is the Junonia.

Diane Writes said...

Hi namemate! Thank you for linking up again.

I'm totally clueless about the types of shells. Good thing I have you, I learn tidbits of useful information. I love the Lion's Paw because of its intricate details. It's a real work of nature. The orange scallop is a great acquisition too. The color is just uniquely orange.

Wishing you a great week ahead namemate!

Donna said...

What a great collection!

Barb said...

Hi Diane,
What a wonderful collection...for a desert dweller they are all beautiful to me!
Enjoy your weekend,
Barb

Dee ⚜️⚜️⚜️⚜️⚜️ said...

Wow! That is one beautiful collection of seashells. I loved how you labeled them.

Dee

Ricki Treleaven said...

Love the mosaic you made identifying your shells, Diane. Very nice!

cynthia lee designs said...

I'm so glad you posted this. I have shells from our trip to the gulf and I had no idea what kind of shells some of mine were.
Have a great Sunday.
hugs,
Cindy

Betsy@My Salvaged Treasures said...

I love shells in all shapes, sizes, and varieties. How fun that you were able to find so many different ones. Love your mosaic Diane!

Maude Lynn said...

This is so neat!

Linda @ A La Carte said...

Love how you identified them and the mosaic is very cool. I might have to sort my beach shells and see what kind I have! Hugs, Linda

Chenille Cottage said...

Hi Diane!
Each shell is so unique and so beautiful! God didn't miss a beat when He created these lovely creatures!
Have a happy Sunday, my sweet friend!
Blessings,
Carolynn xo

Linda said...

I love your new found shells, they are beautiful. Some of them I've never seen before.

Thank you for sharing.

Anonymous said...

I have some of these shells, they were gifts from people who went on vacation and I of course I have the shells you gifted me, I glued them on the frame of a mirror in my bathroom.I did look up the names but I didn't realize there were so many rare ones, is that becuase they are becoming quite scarce, are they endangered I wonder,

Introverted Art said...

They are amazingly beautiful...

Danielle said...

Oh I love that you did this...it is really helpful to me...although I don't collect them...I do come across them quite frequently. You really found some great specimens.

A Bit of the Blarney said...

Gems all!! Beautiful! Have a wonderful week! Cathy

Snap said...

I love shells and you found some real beauties!

My Little Home and Garden said...

Those are gorgeous. I wouldn't have known the names of these beauties! (I like how you have shown them on the blue-sky background.)
-Karen

Unknown said...

Wonderful shells!!!! I love all teh different textures and colours! :)

Hugs,

Susan Nowell @ My Place to Yours said...

I only recognized a few of these shell names. Thanks for the education! You have a wonderful collection ... and to think you picked them up yourself.

Carol @ Always Thyme to Cook said...

Such pretty shells. They make such a lovely mosaic!

It's Just Dottie said...

Lucky you. I have not found many seashells this year. I wonder why?
Smiles, Dottie

Kim, USA said...

Wow never thought shells are pretty. It would take time for the shells to get to this design. Nature is amazing to me.

Kim,USA

The Polka Dot Closet said...

Oh thank you for the great mosaic of all the shells, that was a lot of work! Living in Florida I have picked up my share of shells, but I don't recall having seen the olive and banded tulip...I have to go through my jar. I stayed this weekend in Dunedin, what a cute little town, if you have not been there it is worth the trip and I know the perfect place to stay

Carol

Marina@Picnic at Marina said...

Hi Diane, what a great collection of shells! I love the jewel box, so elegant...:)

Della said...

Oh, I recognize all of these! I didn't realize that my tiny lion's paws were lions paws. I thought they were funny looking kittens paws. I think your 'leaf shell' is a type of oyster. I have a few of these, but I have been a shell collector for a long time. I may not know all of the names, but I sure do love the shells! Wait til you see the shells I found on Sunday!!!!
I love your shell identity chart!

cucki said...

very sweet collection x

debra said...

very nice ID collection! I love that Lion's Paw ...!!

eileeninmd said...

Wow, what a beautiful sea shell collection. I appreciate that you have named them all, thanks. Lovely post, have a great day!

lilybets said...

Nutmegs are also my favourites...yes the little birds are gorgeus!!I have bought a small pink plate !

Pendleton Primitives said...

This is great! I want to do this with my kids.
~Christina

LindyLouMac said...

How enterprising of you to make the effort to identify your shells, interesting as well.

Donna Heber said...

Wow, you really do know your shells. Beautiful mosaic and I learned quite a bit :-)

Anonymous said...

This is an interesting list Diane. Since I don't live anywhere near the coast, I haven't gathered shells in a number of years, and most of the ones I have are purchased. Guess I haven't really considered that there are so many names of the different kinds, though it does make sense. Thanks for the educational (to me) lesson!

Lorrie said...

Gorgeous shells. I love knowing that you know their names. Some of them are new to me. Such intricate designs.

ellen b said...

Oh my...what a great variety of shells that area has! Loved the mosaic!

JuanitaTortilla said...

I love how these shells you've featured are so intact. Most shells I ever find on a beach have some defects! These must be precious...

PS, I am hosting a necklace giveaway on my blog! Do drop by and have a look. You might be very interested!
http://www.juanitatortilla.com/2012/09/giveaway-infinity-necklace-by.html

-Juanita

aMUSEing said...

Hi Pat. I'm not absolutely sure, but I think the shells you are unsure about are a type of oyster--they just look similar to some of the smaller ones I've seen. I hope someone who knows for sure will respond. Thanks for sharing all the neat pictures and your stories!

podso said...

Beautiful shell mosaic! And I like your new header!

Clara said...

You found some very pretty and unusual shells. Some I've never seen before. Thank you for sharing.
~Clara

Mary Howell Cromer said...

Oh my in all of my trips to the beach to collect sea shells, I have never seen a small, or large Lion's Paw...very cool~

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

Beautiful collection -- I'd love to do more shelling when we get back to Florida.

Jenny said...

I didn't even know half of these shell names!

I recognize the scallop shell, though!